Spies - Characters

Hi everyone, i'm definately going to have to resit in January because i've been ill through this whole period of exams (Just my luck, eh!) and havn't revised anywhere near what I planned to. But i'm going to give it a bash anyway so wondered if you could help me on a few things?

Could you share with me your ideas about the character's in spies, and what they represent? I'm trying to build up my notes because they're looking a bit feeble at the moment, and need some fresh ideas. So yeah, if you could share some of your character notes that would be brilliant.

Thanks if you can help! Anything will help, pleeeease share me some ideas.

This would also be useful for everyone because there isn't a specific thread purely on the characters in spies. Maybe we could make it like a revision thing?

Reply 1

michelle12345

Ok, fine, lol, i'll start.

Barbara Berrill
- Father away, lack of male role model. Described as "running wild"

- Influenced by older sister, Deirdre, who is never introduced to the reader. "They kiss each other, Deirdre told me.” Barbara greatly admires Deirdre.

- Stephen doesn’t like Barbara to begin with, describes her as always being around “when you don’t want her” and appears disconcerted by her “big, mocking smile.”

- Barbara’s school purse “offends” Stephen; he finds it “maddening.” It may represent the verge between childhood and adulthood which Stephen is drawing closer to. However, once Stephen experiences the sexual awakening, the purse does not make Stephen feel uncomfortable anymore.

- Barbara and Stephen have different perceptions of events taking place in the close. Barbara describes Mr & Mrs Hayward as having a “terrible quarrel”, where as Stephen sees them as talking “quietly and reasonably”.

- Sexual awakening and the “Lamorna time.” Stephen begins to experience feelings for Barbara, and says that he now “sees all kinds of things, now that Lamorna’s in the air.” This is the transition from childhood to adulthood, and the sexual feelings experienced through this transition. Frayn makes this transition awkward for the reader to signify how awkward it is for the child.

- Stephen observes Barbara in great detail, from the “golden hairs” of her legs to the “curled ends” of her hair. Shows his sexual awakening and how he is now looking at girls in a different way.

- Growing up: Barbara and Stephen smoke together. Stephen showed Barbara how to smoke and was in control. For the first time in the novel, Stephen is the dominant one.

I havn't got the rest of my notes with me, these arn't very good.

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